Baubles, Rouge & Tulle: Shopping Dirty – Dig

Since we’re young journalists ourselves, we’re excited to be able to introduce a guest who is an emerging writer. Today’s Baubles, Rouge & Tulle post comes from Max Nesterak, a sophomore at Hamline University in St. Paul, where he is the Senior News Editor of Hamline’s newspaper, The Oracle. He has a knack for style and discovered a great find right in our backyard!

By Max

We all know the Black Friday horror headlines – “Grown woman pulls hair for Hermes,” “Tween wrestles tween for Hollister top.” Occasionally, “Grown woman fights tween for ‘Love Pink’ booty shorts.”  Most of us scoff, knowing the prices can’t be worth the pain and the deals don’t make up for the dreadful behavior.

The Goodwill Outlet (yes, Goodwill has an Outlet) could change your mind. Dealing in pounds, the Goodwill Outlet – Diggers, if you’re in the know – offers great finds and even greater prices. Some of my best finds to date include a Ralph Lauren polo, a Coach bag, and a Brooks Brothers button down (all for $3). The competition isn’t as stiff as the MOA the day after Thanksgiving, but it does require knowing how to talk, baulk, and squawk like those battleaxe housewives. I’ll tell you how it works, and how to do it right. I was reluctant to give away my secret, so instead I’ll warn you – I shop dirty.

Photo by Max Nesterak

How it works:

1. Reject and overflow merchandise is shipped to the Outlet branch, where it’s thrown into large bins and rolled out on a conveyor belt.
2. Shoppers dig through coats, bibs, pants, polos, belts, and buckles.
3. Every 15 minutes new merchandise is rolled in. During the turn over, Patrons must stand back and wait till the Diggers associate says “Go.” Then, it’s on.
4. Each category is weighed and then priced separately. Load up on books, clothes, house wares, and shoes (okay, maybe not shoes).
5. Wash that shit and tell your friends you just went to the Galleria.

Photo by Max Nesterak

5 Diggs tips:

• Go often – thrifters love one-of-kind finds, but they only come once. There’s no need to spend a day or several hours; stopping by once a week for an hour reaps huge rewards.
• Keep an open mind – you’re buying rejects from the regular Goodwill for $1.20 a pound – most things have seen brighter days. You’ll be surprised what a good wash, press, and fold will do.
• If it’s not your size, leave it – though you can afford it, buying things because you like the look but that don’t fit is a quick and dirty way of having a closet full of clothes you’ll never wear
• Be fierce – not just in style, but in shopping. Be methodical and work through every bin. If someone comes digging right next to you, stay your ground. The strongest wills get the wears.
• Grab a shopping cart and park it next to the wall. Anything that’s a “maybe” goes in the cart. You can think about it later; the floor is meant for snap decisions and quick grabbing.

2505 University Ave. W., St. Paul. Hours: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Your turn shoppers: What are your thrifty shopping secrets? Let us know in the comments or write to us at [email protected].